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Writing an unsolicited application: structure, contact and template

An unsolicited application works when you are not looking for “any job” but see a concrete problem at the company that you can help with. This is how to go about it, from choosing the company to following up.

By Yannik Galetto · Updated · 6 min read

When an unsolicited application makes sense

Not every job is advertised. Many teams are looking without doing so publicly, or are growing and have not yet defined a fitting role. There, a well-founded unsolicited application can lead to a conversation.

It works best when you know the company and can name a concrete contribution. A mass email saying “I am open to anything”, on the other hand, usually stays unanswered.

An unsolicited application in six steps

  1. Choose the company

    Look for organizations that are growing, starting projects or advertising jobs in your area, but not for your role. These are the best hooks.

  2. Find the contact person

    Find the person who decides about the role: team lead, department head, founder. Not “HR department” if you can avoid it. Name and function are often on the website or on LinkedIn.

  3. Formulate problem and contribution

    Write down in two sentences: what did you notice about the company and what can you contribute?

  4. Choose evidence

    One or two stations that show you know the problem and solved it. With a result.

  5. Write briefly and offer something concrete

    No more than half a page to one page. At the end a concrete proposal: a conversation about a specific topic.

  6. Follow up

    If there is no reply after seven to ten days, follow up once, briefly. After that, let it rest.

Template for an unsolicited application (email)

Shorten and adapt the parts in brackets.

TemplateSelect to copy
Subject: [Specific topic] at [company]: my proposal, [first name last name]

Hello [name],

I noticed that [company] is currently [specific project/product/
development]. In situations like this, the question often is how
[specific problem] can be solved.

That is exactly what I worked on at [role]: [what you did],
result: [number/effect].

I would like to talk with you about whether and how I could support your team
with [topic]. I have attached my documents.

Kind regards
[first name last name]

Rewrite the template in your own words. Anyone who reads mail every day recognizes boilerplate.

Common mistakes

  • No reference to the company: the text could go to ten firms.
  • No contact person: “Dear Sir or Madam” ends up in a shared mailbox.
  • Too long: describe the contribution, not your whole career.
  • No concrete offer: where should the conversation lead?
  • Mass sending. Better five well-founded emails than fifty arbitrary ones.

Preparing unsolicited applications with Pathly

In the initiative module you choose industry and region, see organizations with an initiative chance and have a draft created based on your evidence. Nothing is sent automatically: you review, copy and send yourself. More on the draft on the cover letter generator page.

Frequently asked questions

By email or by post?

Email is common and faster. Send cover letter and CV as PDFs and keep the email text short.

Does an unsolicited application need a cover letter?

Yes, in the form of a short email or a page. It is the place where you justify your contribution.

How often may I follow up?

Once after seven to ten days, friendly and short. Not beyond that.

Related

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